Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1887-06-10
A MUNIFICEyT P.,LANTHROPIsT


Mr.. Leland Stanfor, re Pacific Coast
money king, is mu.l more han money
king. He is the enthJ siastic and able
exponent of what may be termed univer-
sal politics husiastic because his be-
lief is part and pc, ion Of his mental
fibre, and able because that mental fibre
is strong, and because he n money to
assist his ideas.
Mr.. Stanford believes in he co-opera-
tive system of labor re believes
that the true aim of politics
should be the amelioration OF the
laboring classes, with their perma-
nent elevation as an eventual object.
Mr.. Stanford proposes that the laborer,
with ample assistance, shall work out
the great future horoscoped for him.
He shall help himself, not only with his
hands, but by educational processes. To
attain the object in view, Mr.. Stanford
thinks that the intelligence of the laborer
must be developed as well ss his Drawn.
Mr.. Stanford's advanced philanthropy is
at least worthy of sympathy, and its
practical realization would be a worlds
step in advance.
The San Francisco Evening Post thus
speaks of Mr.. Stanford and his theories
theories at once philanthropic and
munifcent:
Tho interview with Senator Stanford on
the subject of cooperation, which appeared
in the New York Tribune on May 4th, has
been republished, with additions, in PAM
phlet form. In its complete shape, this
dissertation is well worthy of study. 1t is
the work of man deeply interested in
economic theories, but yet no mere theorist.
1t is a business mans solution Of G bust.
ness problem. 1t is q proposal by one of
the chief employers of the country to abol-
ish the employer class. Clearly, there can
be no question of self-interest in such an
effort, and it deserves a careful and un-
prejudiced examination.
In the additions to this interview, Mr.
Stanford meets the objection that his ideas
are pleasant but impracticable. He sup
plements his exposition of principles by q
careful study of methods. The difficulties
which critics, including the Post, have
pointed out are frankly admitted and the
great obstacle in the way Of successful CO.
operation we have always felt to be the lack
Of managing ability. Such ability is rare,
and when it exists it commands high
price. 1t either organizes an enterprise and
secures the profits for itself, or it is en-
ployed by capitalists at a liberal salary.
That salary, cooperative associations are
generally unwilling TO pay. The income of
manual labor Is their standard of just re
muneration, and they are inclined to regard
the demand of brains for q larger share of
thr profits as extortionate. Hence they are
liable to be observed, and compared with
ably-oonductsd private establishments they
are at disadvantage all along the line,
from the purchase of materials to the sale
of the finished products.
Senator Stanford recognizes this difficulty,
and freely admits that IL must be overcome
before cooperation oan succeed. 81 think,
he says, II have observed reluctance on
the part of men whose lives have been spent
IN productive labor, to recognize clearly and
fully the difference of capacity among men.
Cooperation will be failure without suoh
recognition. Cooperation is not des gned
to be the haven of incompetency, bat to
combine the full force of united strength
working as q unit for q common benefit"
10 secure this effective combination of
labor, the first requisite is intelligence. Mr..
stanford has great confidence in co-opera-
schools of business. However crude the
loeas OF their members may be at first, he
thlnks that experience is sure to teach the
Dement'S of skillful direction, strict discipline
ana active concurrence. The last quality is
one IN which such associations will have the
advantage OF private enterprise. A capital
ist may command greater executive ability,
but IN the enthusiastic assistance of the
Workmen be cannot rival the cooperative
society.
But while actual work under the new con-
altions VIII tend to develop intelligence,
Mr. Stanford also attaches great Importance
70 technical education. Workmen prepared
by preliminary training will be able to
undertake cooperation without the neces-
slty OF learning by their own blunders. In
the university at Palo Alto there will be q
chance to try the experiment on a mapnif-
cent scale. If that institution realizes the
hopes of its founder, its graduates ought to
come very near solution of the social
problem.
Inc oil introduced by Mr.. Stanford in
the Senate last December provides in detail
for all the contingencies which workingmen
are likely to meet in Rssooiating themselves
for joint enterprises. They may have
moneyed capital or other property, or moth
ing but their labor. They may pay them
selves by proportions of the profits or by
fixed wages. They may hire outsiders as
freely as private employers. If any mem